Complete Health Indicator Report of Wildland Fires

Definition

__Wildland Fire__[[br]]
Any non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fields [1]. Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire. [[br]][[br]]
__Wildfire__[[br]]
Any free burning uncontainable wildland fire not prescribed for the area which consumes the natural fuels and spreads in response to its environment [2]. [[br]][[br]]
__Prescribed Fire__[[br]]
Any fire intentionally ignited by fire management actions in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations to meet specific objectives [1].
[[br]]
[[br]]
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1. National Wildfire Coordinating Group (n.d.). Wildland Fire and Incident Management Terminology. Retrieved September 13, 2017 from [https://www.nwcg.gov/glossary/a-z].[[br]]
2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (2009). Glossary - Definition of wildfire. Retrieved December 22, 2016 from [http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/].

Numerator

This Indicator Report contains the following variables:
# Number of acres burned due to wildfires
# Number of acres burned due to prescribed fires
# Number of wildfires
# Number of prescribed fires
# Cost due to wildfire (in U.S. dollars)

Denominator

Not applicable.

Why Is This Important?

Wildland fires are any non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fields [1]. Wildland fires include prescribed fire and wildfire. Wildland fires can adversely affect human health, primarily through exposure to smoke. Wildland fire smoke negatively affects everyone, but individuals with pre-existing conditions may have worse symptoms. Common symptoms from smoke inhalation include shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, coughing, irritated sinuses, and stinging eyes. Vulnerable populations would include those with asthma, heart or lung disease, and other pre-existing respiratory conditions. Individuals with respiratory problems may experience trouble breathing, wheezing, cough, and chest discomfort. Those with heart disease may experience fatigue, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. If the fire is severe enough or if there is a high frequency of fires producing an abundance of smoke, even healthy individuals may experience these symptoms [3].
Wildfire frequency is dependent on a delicate balance between precipitation, heat, abundance of fuel (e.g., grass), and natural or human-caused ignition. No one aspect specifically causes a wildfire, but the relationship between these different factors can determine a high- or low-frequency wildfire season. A heavy snowpack in the winter with a wet spring and a slow transition from cool to warm weather could result in a low wildfire season. Consequently, a dry winter, rapid heating in the spring, and an abundance of dry grass could lead to a high-frequency fire season [4]. Although research is limited, it is suspected that climate change could interfere with this multi-factorial balance and potentially alter wildfire frequency. Climate change affects seasonal precipitation and temperature, so it is possible that less precipitation and higher temperatures due to changes in the climate could increase the frequency of wildfires.
Prescribed fire is a planned fire; it is also sometimes called a "controlled burn" or "prescribed burn," and is used to meet management objectives [5]. A prescription is a set of conditions that considers the safety of the public and fire staff, weather, and probability of meeting the burn objectives [5]. Prescribed fire is one of the most important tools used to manage fire today.
Climate experts project that as the climate continues to change, so will the frequency of extreme weather events. Such events have the potential to adversely affect human health and are therefore a public health concern. Droughts, floods, and wildfires have occurred in Utah, but the question is whether climate change will influence the frequency of these extreme weather events.
[[br]][[br]]
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1. National Wildfire Coordinating Group (n.d.). Wildland Fire and Incident Management Terminology. Retrieved September 13, 2017 from [https://www.nwcg.gov/glossary/a-z].[[br]]
2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (2009). Glossary - Definition of wildfire. Retrieved December 22, 2016 from [http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/].[[br]]
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Emergency preparedness and response: Wildfires. Retrieved February 8, 2017 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: [https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.html].[[br]]
4. Dingman, G., Predictive Services, February 15, 2012, personal communication with staff.[[br]]
5. National Park Service (n.d.). Fire Classifications. Retrieved on April 19, 2018 from [https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-a-prescribed-fire.htm].

What Is Being Done?

Since a variety of agencies handle wildfire response in Utah, public health's role is primarily educational. The CDC has a web page dedicated to how to protect yourself during a fire and what to do after a fire has occurred. How to limit smoke exposure, protecting your home, and treatment for burn victims are some of the topics discussed. Access to wildfire education can be obtained at [https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/].

Available Services

Up-to-date information about wildfires in Utah can be obtained from the Utah Fire Info website at [https://www.utahfireinfo.gov/]

Data Notes

Data for wildland fires includes both prescribed fire and wildfire. The National Park Service states that "Fires customarily are classified as either natural or human-caused. A wildfire is usually started by lightning, lava, or people. Some wildfires ignited naturally may be managed for multiple objectives, which mean they can be monitored, or if management feels it is necessary, contained and extinguished. Prescribed fire is a planned fire and is one of the most important tools used to manage fire today [5]."
[[br]]
[[br]]
----
5. National Park Service (n.d.). Fire Classifications. Retrieved on April 19, 2018 from [https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-a-prescribed-fire.htm].

Data Source

National Interagency Fire Center

Wildland Fires Total Number of Prescribed Fires and Wildfires, by Year, Utah, 2002-2017

Data Notes

Data for wildland fires includes both prescribed fire and wildfire. The National Park Service states that "Fires customarily are classified as either natural or human-caused. A wildfire is usually started by lightning, lava, or people. Some wildfires ignited naturally may be managed for multiple objectives, which mean they can be monitored, or if management feels it is necessary, contained and extinguished. Prescribed fire is a planned fire and is one of the most important tools used to manage fire today [5]."
[[br]]
[[br]]
----
5. National Park Service (n.d.). Fire Classifications. Retrieved on April 19, 2018 from [https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-a-prescribed-fire.htm].

Data Source

National Interagency Fire Center

Wildfires: Damage Cost Due to Wildfires, by Year, Utah, 2002-2017

Year

Total Cost (in U.S. dollars)

Record Count: 16

2002

$50,000

2003

$0

2004

$0

2005

$0

2006

$0

2007

$700,000

2008

$0

2009

$0

2010

$5,000,000

2011

$0

2012

$15,675,000

2013

$1,050,000

2014

$15,000

2015

$420,000

2016

$3,350,000

2017

$4,849,000

Data Notes

The National Park Service states that "Fires customarily are classified as either natural or human-caused. A wildfire is usually started by lightning, lava, or people. Some wildfires ignited naturally may be managed for multiple objectives, which mean they can be monitored, or if management feels it is necessary, contained and extinguished [5]."
[[br]]
[[br]]
----
5. National Park Service (n.d.). Fire Classifications. Retrieved on April 19, 2018 from [https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-a-prescribed-fire.htm].

Data Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Environmental Information

References and Community Resources

__Citations__:[[br]]
1. National Wildfire Coordinating Group (n.d.). Wildland Fire and Incident Management Terminology. Retrieved September 13, 2017 from [https://www.nwcg.gov/glossary/a-z].[[br]]
2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (2009). Glossary - Definition of wildfire. Retrieved December 22, 2016 from [http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/].[[br]]
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Emergency preparedness and response: Wildfires. Retrieved February 8, 2017 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: [https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.html].[[br]]
4. Dingman, G., Predictive Services, February 15, 2012, personal communication with staff.[[br]]
5. National Park Service (n.d.). Fire Classifications. Retrieved on April 19, 2018 from [https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-a-prescribed-fire.htm].
__Resources__:[[br]]
To learn more about types of prescribed fires, the benefits of prescribed fires, the history of native Americans using fire to manage ecosystems, and the anatomy of a prescribed burn, visit [http://www.goodfires.org].

More Resources and Links

Evidence-based community health improvement ideas and interventions may be found at the following sites:

Utah DOH

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